3 min to read

Free Download Manager, the answer to IDM on Linux.

IDM Who? Meet the Download Manager That Plays Everywhere

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After switching from Windows to Arch Linux, I quickly learned that changing an operating system also means changing your software habits. Leaving behind the apps you relied on for years, including your favorites!

For me, one of those favorites was Internet Download Manager (IDM).

IDM is one of those rare Windows tools that actually earns my respect. It is fast, reliable, and brutally efficient at ‘grabbing’ files and videos from the web.

So, after the switch, I needed a real IDM replacement. Not a toy. Not a half-baked script. Something solid.

That sent me fishing in the open source ocean.

What I pulled out was Free Download Manager (FDM).

Why Free Download Manager

FDM immediately ticks an important box, it is free. Not trial-free. Not free with limitations. Actually free. Free as in freedom.

And unlike IDM, it’s cross-platform! Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Android!

Lastly, It is open source!

Download speed, the honest comparison

Let Sham be real. IDM is still the speed king. 🙌

IDM uses aggressive file segmentation and connection handling, and on Windows, it squeezes every drop of bandwidth out of your connection. In a straight race, IDM wins fair and square.

That said, FDM is NOT slow. Not even close.

On most downloads, FDM delivers speeds that are surprisingly comparable to IDM. In real-world usage, the difference is often noticeable only if you are watching the numbers like a hawk. For normal downloading, it feels fast, stable, and reliable.

Let me tell you shamthing.

I have this habit of ‘hawk’ watching my downloads, so much so that at this point I list it as one of my hobbies! Anybody else?

Download resume support works well. Interrupted downloads come back to life without drama. Browser integration does its job. For a free and open source tool, this is impressive.

Where Free Download Manager quietly wins

This is where the story gets interesting. You thought I was done, uh?

See, unlike IDM, FDM can download torrents. And it does a great job at that.

That single feature changes everything. No need for a separate torrent client. No context switching. One tool handles direct downloads, magnet links, and torrent files in one place.

There is also remote connection support, which lets you initiate and manage downloads remotely. That feels very future-friendly, especially if you run multiple machines or like starting downloads from your phone.

The licensing reality

This part matters more than people admit.

Paid software deserves payment. Developers deserve to eat. But take IDM for an example, what happens if you switch OS after purchasing that license? Friction! With FDM, that friction disappears. No license keys. No trial timers. No moral gymnastics around cracked software. Just install and use.

That peace of mind is worth a lot.

Final thoughts

If you are on Windows and raw download speed is your religion, IDM is still hard to beat. But if you value open source software, cross-platform freedom, torrent support, and a clean conscience, Free Download Manager is an excellent alternative.

For me, after moving to Arch Linux, FDM did not just fill IDM’s shoes. It brought its own pair of sneakers! you should use Arch Linux, BTW.

Stay Curious,

Sham.